This is apparently a native of western North America. It was first collected in Michigan at South Haven (Van Buren Co.) in 1880 by L. H. Bailey, and there are numerous collections from around the state in the 1880’s and 1890’s. Now a frequent weed of railroad embankments, roadsides, dumps, and other disturbed ground; also on sand dunes, in gardens, and on shores.

The anthers in this species tend to be a little larger (ca. 0.8–1.1 mm long) than in A. albus.